Whoooosh~
The torrential rain continued pouring down from the sky.
Raindrops pounded the ground with a sound like hammers striking nails.
Puddles on the ground reflected stunned figures — for a moment, time itself seemed to freeze.
"Bidoo.."
Seeing their companions lying sprawled on the grassy field, the Bidoof began to hesitate.
They had a creeping feeling: if they stepped into that grass, they too might fall like their comrades, left to be beaten down by the rain.
"Lil lil!"
Under Petilil's treatment, Vileplume recovered a little and turned to Aven for instructions.
"No rush. Just keep stalling," Aven said, his eyes narrowing.
He glanced up at the sky. The rain was still heavy, but eventually, once the clouds were drained, it would stop.
At the same time, the Gloom and Oddish on the field still shimmered with green light — they were absorbing the blessings left behind by the earlier ritual.
As for the Bidoof, their momentum had clearly dissipated. Attacking them now would only provoke their aggression.
Time was on their side — all they needed to do was hold out. The rain would eventually clear, and reinforcements from Aspiration City would arrive.
Wooo wooo wooo wooo wooo~
Suddenly, the sharp sound of a bugle pierced the air.
In the distance, the Bibarel began retreating swiftly, dragging their unconscious companions. It was the signal for retreat from Marina City!
Clearly, the commander of the Marina City Knights realized they couldn't allow the Bidoof to continue attacking.
Upon seeing this, smiles of relief spread across the faces of the villagers of Fruitvale Village.
They had successfully repelled Marina City's offensive!
"No, it's not over yet."
"Or rather... what awaits Fruitvale Village next is the real battle."
Aven's expression didn't ease in the slightest as he looked toward the well-organized line of Bibarel in front of the enemy ranks.
"Lord Aven, should we stop them?" Sutter asked, watching the Bidoof retreat with their fainted comrades.
To him, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to chase them down and maximize their advantage. Besides, those fallen Bidoof weren't dead — just exhausted and unconscious. They couldn't let the enemy retrieve them.
"Let them go. Those Bidoof no longer have any combat ability."
"Even if they're taken back, they won't change the tide of battle. In fact, they'll probably become a burden to the enemy."
Hearing this, Sutter fell into thought. If they could repel the Marina City Knights, the enemy wouldn't be able to retreat with so many Bidoof anyway.
"I underestimated them... Who would've thought such a small village like Fruitvale could be this strong?"
Paul's face darkened as he watched his Bidoof fall quickly. Fruitvale Village's strength had clearly exceeded his expectations.
Still, it didn't matter too much. The Bidoof were merely the first wave. The real battle was just beginning.
Following his command, the Bibarel stepped forward, advancing quickly toward Fruitvale Village.
As Water-types, they felt invigorated in the rain. Letting the downpour wash over them, they moved swiftly.
Clearly, the Marina City captain knew time wasn't on their side — he was going to end this quickly by sending in the Bibarel directly!
"Bibarel, use Water Gun!"
The Bibarel halted at the edge of the grassland. Paul gave the command to the Bibarel leader beside him.
"Bibaaa!"
The cries of the Bibarel rang out as water-type energy gathered around them.
Whooosh~
Rain still poured from the sky. The air was saturated with water energy, which the Bibarel rapidly absorbed.
Opening their mouths, the Bibarel launched a barrage of Water Guns at the Gloom and Oddish across the field!
"Use Absorb!"
At the same time, the Gloom launched their Absorb attacks.
Beams of green light shot out and collided mid-air with the Water Guns.
But the clash only lasted a moment before the green beams were shattered.
Boosted by the rain, the Water Guns were far too powerful.
Boom boom boom!
After breaking through the green beams, the Water Guns continued toward the Gloom.
However, the Gloom were prepared. Those at the front had all learned the move Ingrain.
Their roots gripped tightly into the earth, and with lowered heads, they braced themselves to take the Water Guns head-on.
As Grass-types, Gloom had strong resistance against Water-type attacks.
Although injured, they still managed to tank the hits with their bodies.
Immediately, their bodies glowed faintly green — the Ingrain move rapidly absorbed the energy from the soaked soil beneath them, replenishing their strength.
"Whew, they held the line."
The villagers let out sighs of relief. The earlier Water Gun volley had looked truly terrifying.
In contrast, the knights from Marina City wore grim expressions.
They hadn't expected the Gloom to withstand the attack so well.
"Again, Water Gun," Paul ordered coolly.
The Bibarel, always expressionless or perhaps simply dull by nature, opened their mouths again and launched another wave of Water Guns.
Rain not only boosted their power but also supplied them with endless energy.
Jets of water shot through the air — merging into a torrent that surged like a tidal wave toward the Gloom.
The Gloom tried to defend with Absorb once more, but the onslaught was too intense.
Their green beams were quickly overwhelmed as the Water Guns smashed into them again.
"Damn it, hang in there, Glooms!"
The villagers clenched their fists, worried sick as the group of Gloom endured wave after wave of attacks.
Those on the front line were clearly on the brink.
If it were just one-on-one, they might have endured.
But this was war — a deluge of Water Guns had long exceeded the boundaries of level differences.
Even a high-level monster would be forced back by this onslaught.
This was the harsh reality of war between Pokémon.
Boom boom boom!
The Gloom gathered energy from Absorb to fend off the attack, then withdrew in the lull, letting the Oddish behind them take over.
"Awwoooo~"
The Mightyena were cloaked in rain as they paced restlessly, eager to join the battle.
But seeing the relentless Water Guns from the Bibarel, they flinched slightly — knowing that even if they joined, they couldn't tip the scales yet.
Their job was to wait. They were Fruitvale Village's last line of defense.
"Have the Bidoof prepare to flank from both sides in coordination with the Bibarel."
Watching the Bibarel suppress the Gloom, Paul ordered his aides.
In his judgment, another wave of Water Guns would be enough to break through the Gloom.
As for the remaining Oddish — they weren't strong enough to hold off the Bidoof.
If they could just break this grass-type front line, the hundred Mightyena and Poochyena left wouldn't stand a chance.
"Those rats are preparing another offensive."
"Damn it, the Gloom and Oddish won't be able to hold them this time."
"Looks like it'll be our turn next. I swear, I won't let those bastards step into Fruitvale Village!"
The trainee trainers clenched their fists, ready to fight to protect their home.
"Rhy…"
Rhydon let out a low growl, ready to strike at any moment.
Even Petilil quietly took off her nurse's uniform.
She didn't want to damage the clean white fabric in battle.
She no longer wanted to be just an angel of healing —
She wanted to use her strength to protect her home, protect Aven, and protect what she held dear!
"Lord Aven…"
Sutter silently drew his knight's longsword and looked toward Aven, who still had his eyes closed.
"They're here."
(End of Chapter)